Shea butter and other African plant oils contain fatty acids, ceramides, vitamins, and antioxidants that support skin barrier function, reduce inflammation, and have antimicrobial properties. The research confirms these oils have legitimate skincare benefits, but notes that quality matters—adverse effects may stem from poor processing and storage practices rather than the oils themselves.

This was a literature review (not a lab study) where researchers examined published research on shea butter and six other oils used traditionally in Nigeria, plus interviews with traditional healers and alternative practitioners about real-world usage.

Funding not disclosed in abstract